Disturbance responsive switch



Jan. 25, 1938. F. B. JOHNSON ET AL DISTURBANCE RESPONSIVE SWITCH FiledNov. 8, 1934 n .f v T s Heder/'cu' Jg/Ie/son ab Q10/7 Jacabso/r. E n

\ ATroRNE "2m W7 "4 Y Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICEv 2,106,605 nrs'roanANcs aasroNsrvE swn'ca Frederick B. Johnson andIrvin Jacobson, Kanaal v Application Nomura s. 19:4, semina. 15am 7claims. (ci. zoe-sz) This invention relates to ja disturbance responsiveswitch adapted to be actuated incidental to movement of an objectcarrying the switch, for example, a motor vehicle, and has for itsprincipal object to provide a device of this character that is sensitiveto the slightest movement of the vehicle in any direction, but which -isln no way ailected by an angular condition oi' the vehicle aslong as itis in a state of rest.

In accomplishing these and other objects oi' the invention, ashereinafter set forth, we have provided improved details of structure,the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a motor vehicle equippedwith a theft alarm in`- cludlng a disturbance responsive switchembodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the alarm partlyin section to betterillustrate the construction and support of the contact elements of theswitch.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the disturbance responsive switchcontact assembly.

Fig. 51s a' detail perspective view of the circuit interrupting switchand lever for rendering thedisturbance responsive switch ineil'ective.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the switch mechanism forcontrolling the time period within which the signal is active afterbeing actuated by the disturbance responsive switch.

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of alarm circuit in whichv thedisturbance responsive switch is `vertical side flanges i and 1 tosuspend the frame from a clamping device 8.

The clamping device illustrated includes a block 9 having a transverseV-shaped groove il in one face thereof cooperating with a clamping plateI l to engage a part of the object on which the switch is to be mountedas, for example, a.l brace rod I2 connecting the radiator (not shown)with the dash I3 of a motor vehicle designated Il. The plate Il issecured in clamping engagement with the rod by fastening devices such asscrews l5 extending through the plate and threaded into the block asbest illustrated in Fig. 1. The lower end Vot the block 9 engagesbetween the ilanges 5 and 6 oi the frame 2 and is secured thereto by abolt or the like I6 extending through the anges and through thedepending end of the block.

JThe lower ends of the leg portions 3 and I ot the frame are connectedin spaced relation by a cross bar-I1 that is attached to a base plate i35 preferably formed of insulating material to mount' an alarm elementlater described.

Formed on the frame substantially midway of the height oi the legs 3 and4 and projecting in- .wardiy thereof are aligning bosses I! and 20 hav-1'0 ing threaded sockets 2| and 22 for adjustably mounting screws D25.'Ihe inner end of the boss i9 and the trunnion screw 25 in the boss 2licarry trunnion points 21 and 2l for pivotally mounting a gimbal ring 29which in turn pivotally mounts 15 a pendulum housing 3l.

The pendulum housing 30 includes upper and lower sections 3| and 32connected by an intermediate coupling ring section 33. '111e uppersection is of smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the gimbalring to provide free swinging movement of the housing within the ing`ina direction transversely to the axis ci the trunnion points previouslydescribed, so that the housing is universally suspended within the frameto retain a perpendicular position regardless of the angularity of theframe or support on which the frame is mounted. 4

'I'he upper end of the section 3| has diametrically opposed trunnionopenings 34 and 35 for accommodating the trunnion points 36 and 31 onscrews 3l and 39 that are adjustably threaded through the gimbal ring atright angles to the axis of the trunnion points 21 and 28. The upper endot the section 3| is closed by a disk 40 preferably iormed oi.'insulating material to mount a contact element Il later described.

'I'he opposite end of the housing section 3| is internally threaded toengage the upper threaded end 42 of the coupling ring 3 3 and isnormally prevented from relative rotation therewith.v by a lock ring I3that is also threaded on the coupling member and is moved in abuttingengagement with the lower end of the upper housing section. 'I'he lowerend of the coupling member is provided with an annular collar 44 formingan end abutment for the upper end of the lower housing section which isthreaded thereon as illustrated in Fig. 2 to complete the housing forthe fixed and pendulum contact elements 4| and I5 to close the signalcircuit as now to be described.

'I'he ilxed contact element 4I includes a bushing I3 that is mounted inan opening I1 oi' the insulating disk Il and is provided with aninternally threaded bore 48 to adustably mount the threaded shank 48 ofa contact head 58. The contact head 50 is preferably of disk shapehaving a at contact plate 5| to cooperate with a similar plate 52 of thependulum contact element 45. 'I'he pendulum contact element includes acylindrical body 53 carrying the contact 52 and is provided with atransverse bore 54 for projection therethrough of a transverse fulcrumbar 55 that has its ends mounted in slots 56 and 51 provided in thecoupling ring 33 as best illustrated in Fig. 4, the ends of the barbeing retained in seated condition in the slots by fastening devices 58extending through the ends of the bar and threadedly engaged in socketsin the bottom of the slots.

Threadedly mounted in the body portion of the pendulum and projectinginto the transverse bore is a fulcrum screw 58 having a cone-shapedpoint on its lower end engaging a socket 8| in the top of the bar.Formed on the lower end of the body portion of the pendulum is athreaded stud 82 for supporting a weight 63.

It is'thus apparent that the pendulum is fulcrumed on the bar tonormally retain the contact plate 5| thereof in parallel spaced relationwith the contact plate 5| on the fixed element to normally break thecircuit therebetween, but the pendulum is free to swing in alldirections incidental to its point support on the bar 55 to cause theperipheral edge of the contact face 52 to engage the Contact plate 5| ofthe xed element. If thehousing is moved from perpendicular position inany direction, the pendulum remains stationary and the fixed contact 5|engages with the peripheral edge of the pendulum contact 52 to close acircuit therethrough.

In order to retain the fulcrum screw in engagement with its socket andlimit upward movement of the pendulum under vibration, the stud 82 isprovided with an internally threaded b'ore to accommodate a screw 84having a cone shaped upper end 65 slightly spaced from the bottom and acone shaped recess formed in the lower side of the transverse bar 55,the spacing between the screw and socket being suiiicient to allow themaximum swinging movement of the penduium.

To lock the xed contact element 4| in adjusted position relatively tothe contact plate 52 of the pendulum 45, the bushing 45 is provided witha set screw 61 engaging the threaded shank 48 of the contact element.

In order to provide a sufiicient weight in the housing to retain thehousing in perpendicular position, the lower section is provided with anannular collar 69 of considerable weight and which is preferably knurledto permit adjustment of the coupling section relatively to the housing,thereby varying the relative spacing between the contact faces.

The lower contact plate is directly grounded on the frame through aflexible connection 18 iixed to the contact 45 and to the coupling ring33 of the housing as best shown in Fig. 4. The xed contact element isconnected by a conductor 1| leading to a relay switch designated 12carried by the frame 2 and adapted to close a circuit leading to asource of current supply to retain the signal in operation after thecircuit has been broken through separation of the contact plates 5| and52.

The relay switch 12 includes a pivoted arm 13 Y carried by the frame 2in alignment with the core of the solenoid and having interconnectedcontacts 14 and 15 adapted to engage a fixed contact 16 that isconnected with the alarm element such as a bell 11 and a lamp 18 by a'conductor 18 and a fixed contact 88 that is connected to a contact 8|of a secondary switch 82 through a conductor 83.`

The relay switch also includes a solenoid 84 provided with a winding 85having one terminal connected to the movable contact 88 of the secondaryswitch 82 and having its other terminal connected to a source of currentsupply such as a battery 81 by means of a conductor 88.

It is thus apparent that when the device is vibrated to cause either thependulum weight 63 or the housing to swing, the peripheral edges of thecontacts 5| and 52 will engage each other to close circuit through thebattery 81, conductor 88, solenoid winding 85, secondary switch 82,contacts 5| and 52 and conductor 18 to the ground and back to thebattery.

'Ihis ow of current energizes the solenoid 84 and effects actuation ofthe arm 13 to close the contacts 14-88 and 15-18 causing the current toflow through the secondary -switch 82 and to the signal circuit toenergize the bell 11 and light the lamp signal 18, thereby givingwarning that the vehicle has been moved from its state of rest.

With the circuit thus far described, it is apparent that as long ascurrent is flowing through the solenoid, the relay contacts will remainclosed to continue operation of the signals.

It is, therefore desirable to provide means for automatically breakingthe circuit to the relay after the signal has been energized and toaccomplish this, we provide for thermostatic opera- Y tion of thesecondary switch 82.

The movable contact 88 for -the secondary switch is mounted on a springleaf 88 to be normally retained thereby in contact with itscomplementary contact 8|. 98 designates a thermostat element preferablyformed of metal and having one end thereof xed to a bracket 3| and itsopposite end normally engaging a lug 82 on the contact spring 89. Coiledabout the thermostat is a heating element 83 having one lead connectedto the conductor leading to the secondary contact switch 88 and theother to the conductor 88. Upon flow of currentthrough the solenoid, aportion of the current will be shunted through the resistance 83 to heatthe thermostat element 88 which is set so that after the temperature hasreached a given point the thermostat element will flex to raise thespring contact 88 of the secondary switch, thereby breaking circuit tothe solenoid which in turn interrupts the current supply to the bell 11and lamp 18 through the contacts 16 and 88.

When current has broken through the solenoid 84, the current is alsobroken through the heating element by the secondary switch 82 and' thisswitch will not close until the resistance element 88 has cooledsufficiently to allow closure there- CIK of. The circuit will not againbe energized unless the vehicle is again moved to cause swinging of thependulum to energize the circuit as previously described. In order toset the timing between the make and break of the secondary switch bymeans of the thermostatic element, the thermostaticelement is mounted ona pivoted lever v84 that is pivoted on the bracket 8| and is engaged byset screws and 86 that are threaded through the xed bracket 8| and whichhave their ends engaging against stop shoulders on the lever 84 atopposite sides of the lever pivot.

It is thus apparent that by tightening one screw and slackening oi! theother, the thermostatic element may be tensioned so that it will becaused tobreak the circuit through the secondary switch at selectivetime periods.

In order to prevent energization of the circuit when the vehicle is inuse by an authorized person', a manually operated switch Il is connectedin the conductor II. This switch 81 includes a contact clip AIl that isiixed to a plate 9! carried on the insulating plate Il adjacent thelower end of the' contact housing. Pivoted to the lower end of the leg lof the frame 2 is a lever i operating through a slot IUI in the leg land extending under the weight 62 so that its opposite end Il! isoperable through an opening |03 in the lower end of the leg 3. Theprojecting end'of the lever is connected by a ilexible cable IM to anoperating button on the dash of the vehicle. Directly under the pendulumweight I4 is an inverted coneshapedplate |05 havinga tongue I thereonpivotally mounted in a slot |01 in the collar of the lower housingsection so that the center thereof is supported in contact with alug Iprovided It is also desirable to provide the conductor wire with asecond switch III, preferably of the permutation type, that is mountedexteriorly of the vehicle as shown in Fig. l and which is connected incircuit with the conductor by wires il! and H3 so that the circuit maybe closed after the operator has closed the switch 91 and locked the'doors of the vehicle.

'mebenn mamma'umiwbeioeatedmany convenient part of the vehicle. Weprefer, however, to mount the bell directly on the lower face of theinsulated plate .Il and the lamp 'Il on the instrument board of thevehicle.

As an added precaution, switches as indicated at I Il may be connectedinto the circuit to cause energization of the alarm. One of theseswitches is preferably located so as to be operated in case some oneshould attempt to raise the hoodwithout effecting movement ofthevehicle.

While we have specifically referred to the audible signalling device oralarm as a bell, it is obvious that a horn, buzzer, or othersimilardevice may be substituted, or the. hornwhich is the standard equipmentof the vehicle may be connected into the circuit in lieu of theindependent sounding device.

In operating a mechanism constructed and mounted on a motor vehicle asdescribed, and assuming that the vehicle is being operated by anauthorized person, the pendulum weight I3 is engaged by the lug `I u onthe lever to hold the point lof the screw M in engagement with thesocket Il to prevent swinging of the pendulum.

the driver wishes to park the car, he will operate the cable I to closethe switch Il and release the pendulum from contact with the lug III.After leaving the car and'locking the doors thereof, the permutationlock will be operated to close the permutation switch from the exteriorof the car, completing the setting of the alarm.

As long as the car is stationary, the contacts Il and 52 will remainopen regardless of the position of the car, due to the universalmounting of the housing. The pendulum will. therefore, hang in aperpendicular position to maintain spacing between the contacts 5l and52. However, should an unauthorized person move some portion of the carto cause swinging of the housing ofhe pendulum the contacts will engageto close the circuit through the relay switch 12, secondary switch 82,and ce luctor 10 to the ground, energizing the relay switch to close thecircuit to the bell 'I1 and lamp 18.

Current will also flow through the heating element to heat thethermostat. The bell will continue to ring until the thermostat has beenheated sufficiently to cause separation of the contact 86 of thesecondary switch. When this occurs, the circuit through the relay switchis interrupted which eects breaking of the circuit to the bell 11 andlamp 1l. The signal will not again be energized unless another attemptis made to enter the car. Upon cooling of the thermostat, theV circuitwill be reestablished through the secondary switch and should the car.be moved a second time, the contacts Il and l2 will again close thecircuit to.l again edectopration of the signals.

While the switch device maybe mounted on any part of the car, it isreadily energized through any vibratory movement applied to any part ofthe car, such as the tires, spare wheel, or other accessories. Thesignal alarm will, therefore, not only protect the car against theft,but will also protect the car against loss of the accessories, since anattempt to remove the accessories will cause movement of the car toenergize the signal.

If desired, the 'gimbal ring may be dispensed with Vand the housing 30can be universally sus pended by means of a pivot pin and bar similar tothe suspension means for the above described.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' l. In a device of the character described, a housing, a pair of facingdisk-like contacts having substantially hat contact faces forcontrolling an electrical circuit, a pivotally mounted support in thehousing for carrying one of the contacts withl the contact face normallyarranged in a horizontal plane, means for pivotally supporting the othercontact on said pivotally mounted support with its contact face in ahorizontal plane innnormally spaced relation and in axial registry withthe first named contact, and means for eugaging one of the contactsupports to selectively prevent movement of said supports, said contactsbeing movable in peripheral contacting `relation with each otherresponsive to'vibratory movement of said supports.

pendulum as 2. In a device of the rcharacter described, aV

pendulum, a disk-like contact carried by the pendulum having a normallyhorizontal contact face, means supporting the pendulum foi oscillatorymovement, means for swingingly suspending said supporting means,asimilar contact having a contact .face normally retained in a horizontalplane on said last named suspending means in vertically spaced facingrelation with the first named lcontact and adapted to be engaged by thefirst named contact upon swinging movement ofV the pendulum,- and meansfor selectively engaging the pendulum to prevent oscillatory movementthereof.

3. In a device of the. character described, a

support, a gimbal ring pivotally mounted on the support, a pendulumhousing swingingly mounted on said gimbal ring, a pendulum, meanspivotally supporting the pendulum in the housing, a dat disk-shapedcontact carried on the pendulum above the pivotal support, and a similarcontact carried by 'the housing in vertically spaced relation with thependulum contact and adapted to be engaged by the pendulum contact forclosing a circuit incidental to relative movement of the housing andpendulum.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a'support, a contactcarrying member, means pivotally suspending the contact carrying memberon the support whereby said contact carrying member retainsperpendicularity during change of position of said support, asubstantially disk-like contact carried by said member and having adownwardly facing normally horizontal contact face, a second Contactcarrying member, a contact on said second contact carrying member oisimilar shape and having a normally horizontal contact face, and meansmounting said second contact carrying member for oscillatory movement onthe rst contact carrying member with said contact faces in spaced facingrelation whereby said last named contact is caused to peripherallyengage the other contact upon oscillatory movement of the second contactcarrying member.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a pendulumhousing, means universally suspending the pendulum housing on thesupport, a contact carried in the axis of the housing and having asubstantially iiat horizontal contact face, a pendulum including a bodyhaving a transverse bore, a fulcrum bar supported by the housing andextending through said bore, a fulcrum member carried by the pendulumand having point bearing on the fulcrum bar, and a contact carried bythe body of the pendulum in normally spaced alignment with the ilrstnamed contact and adapted to peripherally engage said contact uponrelative movement of the pendulum in the housing.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a support, a pendulumhousing, means universally suspending the pendulum housing on thesupport, a contact carried in the axis of the housing and having asubstantially iiat horizontal contact face, a pendulum including a bodyhaving a transverse bore, a fulcrum bar supported by the housing andextending through said bore, a fuicrum member carried by the pendulumand having point bearing on the fulcrum bar, a contact carried by thebody of the pendulum in normally spaced alignment with the rst namedcontact and adapted to peripherally engage said contact upon relativemovement of the pendulum in the housing, a stop member carried by thependulum and engageable with the bar on the opposite side of said pointbearing, and means for lifting the pendulum from said point bearing andthe stop member into engagement with the fulcrum bar to selectivelyprevent said relative movement.

7. In a device of the character described, a support, a pendulumhousing, means universally mounting the pendulum housing on the support,

a pendulum, means universally mounting the

